Some people appear to be intelligent, but usually, these individuals are more ignorant than smart. There are ways to tell.
Have you ever met someone who seemed to know everything? Well, if you’re a bit naïve or just young, you might believe the things they say. However, if you use your head, your actual intelligence, and experience, you might find that these are actually ignorant people.
Are these people intelligent or ignorant?
I’ve personally been in the company of a few people who just weren’t as smart as they proclaim. And yes, when I was young, I fell for their self-proclaimed smarts. Now, I am older and I can sense when someone has no clue about their so-called facts.
Let me show you how you can tell the difference between truly intelligent individuals and those who are just ignorant and uneducated people.
1. Being Fake
One of the most common ways to fake intelligence is by trying to prove it. People who present themselves as intelligent, and push their form of intelligence on others are actually not that smart.
I’ve seen people who always seem to know facts about things they’ve never encountered or known. They put on a show and try to convince everyone of their authenticity. They want to be seen as smart, but the truth is, they’re not. If you’re not careful, you can also fall into this trap.
2. They don’t think of the future
Most people who pretend to be smart will always live for instant pleasure. Yes, it’s great to enjoy every day as it comes, but it’s also just as important to think in the long term.
Ignorant thoughts of people revolve around what they can get now and not what the future holds. They usually don’t have a plan “b” either, which also involves preparing for altered paths….which will also be governed by what the future brings.
Always make sure you balance thoughts of now and thoughts of the future as well. This boosts your intelligence.
3. Don’t apply their own principles
People who are ignorant but think they are smart are prone to neglect responsibilities. These are not just ordinary responsibilities, these are tasks and principles they have set for other people in their lives.
For instance, if they preach about being honest, and yet they tell lies, they are just not smart people. On the exterior, however, they project that they are really intelligent in their speeches for change. Listen up! Be honest and you will be 10 times more intellectual.
4. There is no critical thinking
Those who give advice but do not look within are devoid of critical thinking. Critical thinking is when you ask yourself if you’re doing the same things that others are doing.
If you are offended by someone’s insults, then ask yourself, “Do I insult people as well?” If you don’t ever do analyze your own actions and words, then you’re not as intelligent as you think, and you sure don’t let people know this fact.
5. They like dramatic events and relationships
When ignorant groups of people get together, they enjoy gossip. Most of this gossip revolves around the drama that happens in their lives, whether it’s about work or something at home.
You can see the lack of intelligence as they laugh about the misfortune of others. What they fail to understand is that this same misfortune or something similar can happen to them as well. But they just don’t have the intellect to consider this fact.
6. They listen less and speak more
Those who are really ignorant types of people just have to get their point across all the time. When they’re with friends or family, they tend to hog the spotlight will tales of their accomplishments and good deeds.
When others want to talk, ignorant individuals often interrupt and change the topic back to the same old story they’ve been telling.
Smart people listen, I mean really listen to what others have to say, giving room to hear and yet develop their own thoughts and opinions quietly. So remember, listen and learn.
7. Envious of other people
Ignorant and selfish people are often jealous of others. I don’t necessarily mean jealousy as in relationships. They are jealous and envious of the accomplishments of others.
Instead of striving toward their own goals, they often copy or try to steal recognition because of their envy. It’s the ignorance that’s hidden by the attempt to seem smart in their endeavors.
They will definitely take credit for their behavior in this area. Just be happy for others and focus on your own accomplishments.
No, you’re not as smart as you think you are
If you fall into any of these categories, you should check yourself. By the way, staying away from this behavior and actually asking help from others makes you smarter. Continuing to learn things about life is also a great way to boost your intelligence instead of keeping what you have and faking it.
Some people may be fooled for a while, but they will eventually recognize ignorant people for who they really are. So, if you are trying to fool others with your fake intelligence, it will not work forever.
Here’s a challenge if you suffer from this. Take some time to learn, ask, and become more selfless. In the process, your intelligence will grow and you will actually become just as smart as you think you are…maybe even smarter. It’s just a thought.
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Thank you for writing about ‘7 Sings of Ignorant People’. I’ve encountered many envious ones, specially my mother. I wanted to understand the logic behind her jealousy toward me, but found none. So, I began to feed my mind with information through self-help, biographies, and other books that expanded my thinking abilities. In he process, I have become stronger; love who I am, and at age 60 have finished writing my first book. Thank you for your article.
Wouldn’t Narcissists and Sociopaths fall into this topic?
Darlings, if a person isn’t smart it’s very easy to know that. They don’t know much! If you also don’t know much then you’ll have difficulty finding that out. That’s a shame but unavoidable. One other thing – if you’re nuts keen to know if someone’s got brains but don’t know how to find out – you’ve got a big problem – but it’s YOUR problem.
….In my book your definitions above are describing “insecurity”…uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.